Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

Adoption experts sign pact vs child trafficking | Manila Bulletin

Authorities in the Philippines are working to streamline legal adoption processes while ensuing against child trafficking. Most trafficking cases in this Southeast Asian country are linked to prostitution and domestic servitude.

Adoption experts sign pact vs child trafficking | Manila Bulletin.

Summit on Intercountry Adoption in the Philippines

This short news item is noteworthy because it includes a quote from a government official in the Philippines upholding intercountry adoption as a child welfare practice that can help avert child trafficking. Intercountry adoption is too often wrongfully equated with child trafficking these days.

RP hosts 10th summit on inter-country adoption | Manila Bulletin.

Still More Fallout from New CDC Policy on TB

There's no end to the international adoption horror stories connected to the new CDC policy on tuberculosis. The Crombie family expected to bring their daughter Jaylee home from the Philippines in January 2009, but her US visa was denied when a panel of doctors disagreed on the reading of a chest xray. Jaylee actually completed TB treatment in 2008, but the CDC refuses to recognize that treatment round as valid because it doesn't qualify as "directly observed treatment." It's unclear whether the child still has TB or not. The Crombie family is being asked to pay for more medical tests, but has no say in what tests or treatment are given to the child while they nervously wait. The family is fearful that their little girl may never be allowed to join them in the US. You can read an interview with Michelle Crombie at the link.

Family adopting from Philippines delayed nearly nine months due to CDC's TB policy.